Is your public transit accessible to the physically disabled: some things to consider!
Note that I'm most familiar with wheelchair accessibility as I have personal experience with that, and I'll mainly be discussing buses, but many of these points can also be applied to vans or other vehicles that may be part of your public transit system. Additionally, some of these points may not be applicable to different places (i.e. a bus driver walking a disabled person to the front door of their destination works fine in a small town like mine, but isn't an option for a busy city).
Do your bus stops have even sidewalks, and a nearby incline so wheelchair users can get over the curb?
Do your bus stops have a place to sit, preferably in the shade?
Are the seats at your bus stop able to accomodate fat people?
Do the seats at your bus stop have hostile architecture meant to dissuade the homeless from getting comfortable on them? Get rid of that.
Are your bus drivers trained and willing to respect their passengers? (Are they willing to not stare or make inappropriate comments/ask personal questions?)
Does your bus have a lift and adequate space within it for a wheelchair?
Does your bus have a railing to aid people in climbing the steps?
Are your bus drivers trained and willing to aid people in climbing the steps if asked?
Are your bus drivers trained and willing to wait until a passenger is seated before they drive?
Does your bus have a way to anchor a wheelchair in place, ALONG WITH a seatbelt for the wheelchair user? Some wheelchairs- most notably the cheaper ones- aren't equipped with a seatbelt.
If a wheelchair user would prefer to sit in one of the bus' seats, are your bus drivers trained and willing to offer assistance if needed?
Is there a spot for a wheelchair user to safely store their chair if they choose to sit in one of the bus' seats?
Does your bus allow food and drink? This point is a tricky one, as some people may need to eat or drink while on the bus, such as a diabetic who urgently needs sugar, while others cannot safely be around strangers' snacks, due to an allergy or otherwise.
If food and drink are allowed, is your bus kept clean?
Does your bus have a place to dispose of trash?
Are your bus drivers trained and willing to help people into their destination if asked?
Tied to the previous point- do your bus drivers know how to safely open a door for a wheelchair user? (For example, not leaning over them to open it [???], making sure it doesn't shut on them, ect.)
Are your bus drivers trained and willing to offer aid in medical emergencies?
If there's anything I've missed, feel free to either reply to the post, or reblog with your suggestions!
Now, my final point is this: You don't have to be disabled to call out accessibility issues. Hear our voices and advocate for us. Speak up when you see issues we've mentioned! Tell store managers that their aisles are too thin, or their benches too few in number! Things don't have to be this way. Public transit is wonderful, but it's even better when it's available to everyone.
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